Brother Cadfael 08: The Devil's Novice

did all their duty by him when he came, but they could not even see past Nigel to notice the second one. And he was so different.' She paused to consider the two, and probably had her finger on the very point where they went different ways.
    'Do you think,' she asked doubtfully, 'that small children know when they are only second-best? I think Meriet knew it early. He was different even to look at, but that was the least part. I think he always went the opposing way, whatever they wished upon him. If his father said white, Meriet said black; wherever they tried to turn him, he dug in his heels hard and wouldn't budge. He couldn't help learning, because he was sharp and curious, so he grew lettered, but when he knew they wanted him a clerk, he went after all manner of low company, and flouted his father every way. He's always been jealous of Nigel,' said the girl, musing against her raised knees, 'but always worshipped him. He flouts his father purposely, because he knows he's loved less, and that grieves him bitterly, and yet he can't hate Nigel for being loved more. How can he, when he loves him so much?'
    'And Nigel repays his affection?' asked Cadfael, recollecting the elder brother's troubled face.
    'Oh, yes, Nigel's fond of him, too. He always defended him. He's stood between him and punishment many a time. And he always would keep him with him, whatever they were about, when they all played together.'
    'They?' said Cadfael. 'Not "we"?'
    Isouda spat out her chewed stem of late grass, and turned a surprised and smiling face. 'I'm the youngest, three years behind even Meriet, I was the infant struggling along behind. For a little while, at any rate. There was not much I did not see. You know the rest of us? Those two boys, with six years between them, and the two Lindes, midway between. And me, come rather late and too young. You've seen Roswitha. I don't know if you've seen Janyn?'
    'I have,' said Cadfael, 'on my way here. He directed me.'
    'They are twins. Had you guessed that? Though I think he got all the wits that were meant for both. She is only clever one way,' said Isouda judicially, 'in binding men to her and keeping them bound. She was waiting for you to turn and look after her, and she would have rewarded you with one quick glance. And now you think I am only a silly girl, jealous of one prettier,' she said disconcertingly, and laughed at seeing him bridle. 'I would like to be beautiful, why not? But I don't envy Roswitha. And after our cross-grained fashion we have all been very close here. Very close! All those years must count for something.'
    'It seems to me,' said Cadfael, 'that you of all people best know this young man. So tell me, if you can, why did he ever take a fancy for the cloistered life? I know as well as any, now, how he clings to that intent, but for my life I do not see why. Are you any wiser?'
    She was not. She shook her head vehemently. 'It goes counter to all I know of him.'
    'Tell me, then, everything you recall about the time when this resolve was made. And begin,' said Cadfael, 'with the visit to Aspley of the bishop's envoy, this Peter Clemence. You'll know by now - who does not! - that the man never got to his next night's lodging, and has not been seen since.'
    She turned her head sharply to stare. 'And his horse is found, so they're saying now. Found near the Cheshire border. You don't think Meriet's whim has anything to do with that? How could it? And yet ... ' She had a quick and resolute mind, she was already making disquieting connections. 'It was the eighth night of September that he slept at Aspley. There was nothing strange, nothing to remark. He came alone, very early in the evening. Uncle Leoric came out to greet him, and I took his cloak indoors and had the maids make ready a bed for him, and Meriet cared for his horse. He always makes easy friends with horses. We made good cheer for the guest. They were keeping it up in hall with music after I went to my bed. And the next morning he broke his fast, and Uncle Leoric and Fremund and two grooms rode with him the first part of his way.'
    'What like was he, this clerk?'
    She smiled, between indulgence and mild scorn. 'Very fine, and knew it. Only a little older than Nigel, I should guess, but so travelled and sure of himself. Very handsome and courtly and witty, not like a clerk at all. Too courtly for Nigel's liking! You've seen Roswitha, and what she is like. This young man was just as certain all women must be drawn